We've all been there...
Delaying our tasks, feeling guilty, and then scrambling everything together last minute.
To make ourselves feel more comfortable while actually 'doing nothing valuable' we named the phenomena 'procrastination'.
So does that make us lazy? ignorant? or just lost?
Here's the truth: procrastination isn't just about being lazy.
It's a sign that we're missing some key ingredients in our personal growth recipe.
Can I fix this?
Well if you mean 'I' as in that you'll read some magical advice here that will do all the work for you... NO!
If you mean 'I' as in you will learn to take full accountability and start making some necessary changes, YES 100%.
So how to fix it?
There's a beautiful quote from Jim Rohn that truly changed my life and everything I do.
-If the WHY is powerful, the HOW is easy!
Sounds pretty simple right? Yet there's a whole profound meaning behind that quote if you truly learn what it can DO FOR YOU!
Yes but....
NO MORE ' YES BUTS'...
It all starts with your REASONS to ACHIEVE SOMETHING.
I know exactly how you feel... It took me years to learn this myself.
Luckily for you, I'll break it down in 7 steps to overcome procrastination and gain a MINDSET OF FOCUS.
1. Acknowledge your CORE-VALUES
70% of people who set their goals don't achieve them and eventually give up.
This is because most of that 70% don't know their core-values before setting their goals. It's important to have your goals ALIGNED with what YOU LOVE MOST. (Only if you love it, you'll keep doing it)...
Pick a sheet of paper and write the 3 things you love most in life:
- I LOVE:
- I LOVE:
- I LOVE:
for example:
2. Set your GOALS that align with your CORE-VALUES
Now comes the fun part, it's time to think about what you could achieve with what you love.
Let's imagine, your goal is to run a world record marathon because you love sports. That's an excellent goal!
But the problem is that the jump toward becoming a world-record holder is pretty big, so try to scale that goal down to something smaller at first.
Run world record marathon -> Run local championship marathon and finish first.
Write 3 'achievable' goals that align with your 3 values.
- I LOVE: (CORE-VALUE) and I WANT TO (GOAL):
- I LOVE: (CORE-VALUE) and I WANT TO (GOAL):
- I LOVE: (CORE-VALUE) and I WANT TO (GOAL):
3. Acknowledge the REASONS for achieving your goals.
Your reasons make the difference between a 'want' and a 'need'.
Imagine you need to achieve your goal or else you'll not only upset yourself but potentially harm your family and your future.
This might sound cruel, but the truth is EVERYONE ALREADY HAS PLENTY OF REASONS.
The problem is most people don't dare to acknowledge them or even put them in writing and therefore rather enjoy falling for the trap of instant gratification through meaningless procrastination.
Write 3 reasons why you need to achieve your goals.
- I LOVE: (CORE-VALUE) and I WANT TO: (GOAL) that I need to achieve because otherwise: (REASON)
- I LOVE: (CORE-VALUE) and I WANT TO: (GOAL) that I need to achieve because otherwise: (REASON)
- I LOVE: (CORE-VALUE) and I WANT TO: (GOAL) that I need to achieve because otherwise: (REASON)
4. Know your TO-DO's
Now we know our core-values, goals and reasons, the next step is actually pretty easy.
Think of the first steps to take to get closer to your goal.
For example, if your goal is to run a marathon (TO-DO: get some running shoes) or (TO-DO: get money for running shoes).
Write 3 TO-DO's aligned with your goals.
- I LOVE: (CORE-VALUE) and I WANT TO: (GOAL)I need to because (REASON) so I can do: (TO-DO)
- I LOVE: (CORE-VALUE) and I WANT TO: (GOAL)I need to because (REASON) so I can do: (TO-DO)
- I LOVE: (CORE-VALUE) and I WANT TO: (GOAL)I need to because (REASON) so I can do: (TO-DO)
5. Schedule your TO-DO's
You can't control the clock... time keeps moving regardless of what you do.
THE ONLY THING you can do is try to MANAGE YOUR TIME to the best of your CAPABILITY.
Therefore it's CRUCIAL to SCHEDULE EVERYTHING and specifically SCHEDULE YOUR TO-DO's!
(If you skip this step, you already automatically give up on your goals)...
NO ONE REACHES SUCCESS WITHOUT MANAGING THEIR TIME!
You can use a free digital tool like Google Calendar or consider a paid service like ToDoIst.
Schedule your TO-DO's by doing at least 1 thing every day:
- Monday work on my (GOAL): So I need (TO-DO):
- Tuesday work on my (GOAL): So I need (TO-DO):
- Wednesday work on my (GOAL): So I need (TO-DO):
- Thursday work on my (GOAL): So I need (TO-DO):
- Friday work on my (GOAL): So I need (TO-DO):
- Saturday work on my (GOAL): So I need (TO-DO):
- Sunday work on my (GOAL): So I need (TO-DO):
6. Create a space for work
Now you know exactly WHAT TO DO, WHY TO DO and WHEN TO DO, the next step is WHERE TO DO IT.
The rule goes like this, the more you reduce distractions, the less you'll be distracted...
Incorporate the Five-S method in your place of work to stay FOCUSED:
- Sort: Sorting between necessary and unnecessary items.
- Set in order: Organize all the necessary items in your workplace.
- Shine: Clean your workplace on a regular.
- Standardize: Set up clear and concise rules for your workplace.
- Sustain: Make sure to sustain the new standards and prevent your workplace from getting messy again.
7. Celebrate along the way
Social media is overrun by the word DISCIPLINE...
Don't get me wrong... discipline is really good and necessary, but too much discipline will actually do more harm than reward you with SUCCESS!
Did you know even Warren Buffett admits to celebrate his wins in the market with a meal at McDonalds once in a while?
Or did you know that even Elon Musk takes some time off after a successful rocket launch to reward himself with a videogame?
Why?
Because of DOPAMINE!
It's important you also understand the power of celebrating milestones!
EXTRA TIPS:
Want to truly make a difference?
Here are the 3 things I incorporated in my life personally to INCREASE MY FOCUS even more!
- Vision board (Hang a whiteboard above your office desk where you can write a daily reminder)
- Book holder (Place a small book holder on your desk where you can place a notepad to remind yourself of your To-Do's)
- Change wallpapers (Change your phone wallpapers to a simple keyword or a written statement of your goal)
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